October 3, 2007

Bachelor's degree programs approved for College of Technology at New Albany

The Indiana Commission for Higher Education on Sept. 14 approved bachelor's degree programs in electrical engineering technology and mechanical engineering technology, to begin in August 2008.

The commission also approved a bachelor's degree program in computer graphics technology, retroactively for fall 2007.

Previously, the New Albany location offered only associate degrees in areas of all three programs.

"Purdue's statewide technology program has educated thousands of students and made a positive impact on the state of Indiana by preparing workers for the careers of tomorrow," said Duane D. Dunlap, associate dean for the College of Technology's statewide program. "Our data show that 80 percent of the graduates from Purdue's statewide technology locations chose to live and work in Indiana, so by offering more options for students in southeastern Indiana, we will be taking a positive step toward revitalizing the area's economy and curbing 'brain drain.'"

Andy Schaffer, director of the Purdue College of Technology at New Albany, said offering bachelor's degree options in these three areas will give students curriculum options not previously available in the southeastern Indiana/Louisville area.

"For occupations in the technology fields of computer graphics, electrical engineering and mechanical engineering, a bachelor's degree has become the requirement for initial placement," Schaffer said. "In all three of these fields, no other four-year programs are offered in the region, so we are pleased to be offering students the option of earning a Purdue bachelor's degree in these high-demand, high-wage areas at a location close to home."

All three degree options are available to both part- and full-time students and are open to any student, but targeted toward those in the metropolitan Louisville area as well as in the Indiana counties of Floyd, Clark, Harrison, Scott, Washington, Jefferson, Crawford and Orange. Through a tuition agreement with Purdue, residents of Jefferson, Oldham, Bullitt and Trimble counties in Kentucky pay Indiana in-state rates at the New Albany location.

The electrical engineering technology program is a 128-credit-hour program that will prepare students for existing and emerging careers in positions such as applications engineers, engineering technologists, software engineers and manufacturing engineers. Graduates will be qualified to work in a wide variety of engineering, management and technical roles in electrical device companies, as well as other industries. College of Technology data from 2005-06 shows that the placement rate for graduates is more than 90 percent.

The mechanical engineering technology program is a 127-credit-hour program that prepares students for careers as manufacturing engineers, designers, test engineers and other related positions. College of Technology data from May 2006 shows placement rates of those graduating from Purdue with a bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering technology at 85 percent.

The computer graphics technology program is a 123-credit-hour program that includes elements of visual science, computer science, computer graphics, computer technology and graphic design applied to the creation and communication of information. Students in the program work in computer labs developing graphics skills, techniques, concepts and management ability through individual and team-based projects. The New Albany program focuses on 3-D modeling/animation and interactive media.

The curriculum for all three programs is identical to the West Lafayette program and at other Purdue statewide technology locations. Indiana University Southeast will offer general education courses for the program, and the technical instruction will be provided by Purdue faculty on site.

The College of Technology at New Albany also offers a bachelor's degree in organizational leadership and supervision.

The Purdue College of Technology, established in 1964, is one of the nation's largest and was one of the first of its kind in the country. It educates more than 5,700 undergraduates at locations around the state. In addition to the main campus at West Lafayette, the college has 10 statewide locations in New Albany, Columbus, Lafayette, South Bend/Elkhart, Kokomo, Anderson, Muncie, Richmond, Indianapolis and Greensburg.

Writer: Kim Medaris, (765) 494-6998, kmedaris@purdue.edu

Sources: Duane D. Dunlap, associate dean for statewide technology, (765) 496-9468, ddunlap@purdue.edu

Andy Schaffer, (812) 941-2176, aschaffe@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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